June Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our June Mom of the Month is: Megan Davis! Congratulations Meg!

Megan has been a Stroller Strides member since February, joining us when Payton was just a couple of months old! She quickly became one of our most active members and made friends with all of the moms and kiddos, and she sets a great example for all of us with her dedication to her workouts and consistent Stroller Strides attendance. Meg also completed several races this spring with extremely impressive times, including finishing in 2nd place in her age group in her first ever 10k last month! Join us in congratulating Meg, and read on to learn more about her.

Hometown: Butler, PA

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Southern part of Raleigh

Education: BSBA Hospitality Management

Stroller Strides Member since: February 2011

Members of your Family: My husband Mark & amazing baby girl Payton

Tell us about your child: Payton has her dad’s calm and chill personality with a mix of my feisty determined independence. Payton’s pretty blue eyes and long eyelashes are a favorite characteristic for many. She’s recently hit the 5 month benchmark where she has discovered the world around her and so far loves what it has to offer. She enjoys running with mommy, working out with our mama and kiddo friends at Stroller Strides, jumping in her exersaucer, and most recently swimming. Payton is a happy go lucky baby that brings so much joy to our lives.

Current/previous Career: Communications Coordinator for an Engineering Firm

What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to be a teacher

What does motherhood mean to you? Wow, it means loving someone unconditionally more than you ever thought you could. It means doing whatever it takes to provide the very best life you can for your children. It’s protecting, teaching, loving, supporting, and guiding them so they grow to be the very best they can be. Most of all it’s sharing in the joy of family and creating your own life story.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Paris France.

What has Stroller Strides done for you? What hasn’t it done for me? Stroller Strides has given me….
• Sense of Purpose
• A Daily Routine for Payton and I to kick start our days
• Amazing mama and baby friends that I hope will last a lifetime
• Motivation and excitement to get back into shape
• My pre-baby body back!
• Discipline that I hope will be passed on to my children
• Extreme fun for both Payton and I

What is your favorite exercise? Pushups

What is your proudest moment? Just one is so hard because the day I married my best friend and the day our baby girl Payton Eileen was born were my most proud moments!!

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Steeler Football, working out, and coffee!

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I am the baby of five, three sisters and a brother.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Mark would say my best qualities are my inherent motherly instincts with Payton, which allow me to always make the ‘right’ parenting decisions with little effort, my strong moral values which will carry over to Payton. (And any future children), and my caring ways and strong loyalty to the ones I love.

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Just get started! Don’t forget about yourself. As hard as it can be to get motivated, especially after a new baby or babies are thrown in the mix, always remember that if you take care of yourself you will be able to take care of your family even better in return. Also getting back into shape is a way to make you feel better about yourself, and releasing those endorphins can bring you a sense of well-being.

May Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our May Mom of the Month is: Melanie Jacobs! Congrats Melanie!

Melanie has been a member of Stroller Strides for almost a full year now, and her positive attitude and bright smile bring a great energy to our classes. She is always laughing and smiling, even when working out hard, and no doubt Oliver gets his great smiles and attitude from his mommy. Melanie is a very talented mommy who manages to keep up her work as an Occupational Therapist, teaching yoga, instruction on car seat safety, Stroller Strides, and of course motherhood! And let's not forget her other interesting skills in areas such as belly dancing, cake decorating ;), costume creation (she won first place at our Halloween class for Oliver's frog costume she created!). Recently Melanie participated in our Running Mamas 5k training and completed her first 5k at the end of April, making amazing progress during the program and finishing with a great time. Join us in congratulating Melanie and read on to learn more about her!

Hometown: Uniontown, OH but moved to Charlotte, NC when I was 13

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Holly Springs

Stroller Strides Member since: June 2010

Members of your Family: My husband Jim and my son Oliver

Tell us about your child: Oliver is a passionate 13 month old who is full of love, humor, and independence. He never ceases to amaze me with his abilities and colorful personality.

Current/previous Career: I am a stay at home mom by day and 3 times a week I work as an

Occupational Therapist for 2 hours and teach yoga on Thursdays

What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a marine biologist and here is the funny one – I wanted 6 kids (ha ha!)

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means the world to me. It is the most important, challenging, and rewarding job I will/have ever had.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Cozumel

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides has given me an outlet that empowers me to become not only healthier but also a better mother. I have learned to push my exercise limits a bit and the benefits of being distracted by good conversation or songs for the kids. By exercising with Oliver, I am proud to know that I am setting a good example for him while showing him that exercise is fun.

What is your favorite exercise? I really like sit ups and most leg exercises but I am beginning to appreciate that I really need the upper body work.

What is your proudest moment? My proudest moment would most definitely be the birth of Oliver.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? painting, yoga, and the beach

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I took belly dancing classes for 5 years and I am a car seat technician/inspector.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked my husband and he said: strength, energy, passionate, and caring

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Success begins with a program that easily fits into your schedule, includes other moms as motivation, and includes your child (so you don’t have to worry about child care). Sticking with a wellness program in the long term will allow you to become healthy mentally and physically with weight loss being an added bonus.

April Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our April Mom of the Month is: Monica McBride! Congrats Monica!

Monica moved to the Triangle a few months ago from California. She joined Stroller Strides in December and has been an upbeat, friendly presence at class and in our moms group ever since! Monica has shown dedication to fitness and Stroller Strides through her frequent attendance and hard work at class--she and Brody rarely miss a day, including Saturdays! She also has made her running debut recently as part of our Running Mamas crew, gearing up for their 5k on April 30th, and Monica is one of several moms who also signed up for the 10k plan, culminating May 22nd! Wish Monica luck in her running endeavors and congratulate her on her success, and get to know her a little better through the Q&A below.

Hometown: Sunnyvale, Ca. (Bay Area)

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Currently renting in Morrisville and feeling out different areas to buy :)

Education: BS in Business Administration and Marketing from San Jose State University

Stroller Strides Member since: Dec 2010

Members of your Family: 3

Tell us about your child: Brody Logan McBride was born just before Halloween in 2009 in Santa Cruz, CA. He has been a very easy going "little man" as we like to call him since the moment he arrived! He likes to suck his fingers, play with anything electronic, plug things in, turn things off and on, play on his daddy's boat, dance to any music with a good beat, play in the man/guitar room with his daddy and do stroller strides with his momma!

Current/previous Career: Escrow

What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to be successful in business and also have a family and be a mom.

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood is the hardest and most rewarding thing I have accomplished so far in life. It means true unconditional love.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Russia, St. Petersburg

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides and the Luna Moms Group has helped me develop some sense of "normal" in my new life here in NC. As a new mom in a new place far from family and friends, I was in need of a structured routine that would get me out into my new environment meeting moms, kids and exercising all at the same time! I love to stay fit and be surrounded by peers. Stroller Strides has provided me with all of the elements that I was missing in my new life! I

What is your favorite exercise? I really enjoy doing drills with the tubes and cardio bursts

What is your proudest moment? When I saw my son for the first time

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? I love working out , cooking, mani/pedi, laying in the sun.. :) drinking wine... hanging out with my friends

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I am a twin

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Caring, Sensitive, Good Mommy, dedicated

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? I would have to say my best advice would be to establish a routine and be consistent. Stroller Strides has been helpful with that aspect because it has allowed me to workout on a daily basis with the little one! Gyms and home exercise programs are really challenging for moms especially! Working out with other moms helps keep you going because you also have a social outlet to help motivate you! It is really important to be aware of your space in life and be realistic with your personal goals. Working out with fellow moms is much better for the psyche than going to the gym. LOL

How can you get even MORE out of your workouts?

Your Stroller Strides® Instructors are trained to deliver new, effective and unique workouts at each class, and while that is an important part of your fitness journey, there is more! The piece that will make a HUGE difference in the results you see comes from YOU. The intensity with which you give every repetition, at every station, at every class is what will take your fitness to the next level. If any of you have been coming regularly and have seen great progress in your strength and endurance, but are now hitting a plateau, YOU can make the difference and up the intensity and challenge at class. Some examples of how to do this are:

• Increase the resistance that you’re using in class: Grab a red tube if you have always used green. Challenge yourself a little more each time. Or consider using 2 reds (or a red and a green) at the same time!


• Add depth and height to your movements: Make your squats and lunges deeper, and then come up higher in the extension of the movements.


• Add greater intensity/energy to your movements: If it feels good for your joints and pelvic floor, add in some higher impact movements (running, jumping…leaving the ground a little more). If high impact isn’t in the cards for you, make your movements bigger and put more energy behind them.


• Keep MOVING throughout the entire class; even if you stop for water or to help your child, etc, keep marching with your feet and/or pumping your arms to keep those calories burning.


• Add an extra day or two per week to your workout routine! For best results (in weight loss, toning, and mental well-being), aim to attend Stroller Strides (and/or get in another equivalent workout) at least 3-5 days per week.

It is very easy to go into “auto-pilot” in your workouts, especially when you have a fabulously interesting mom next to you and the conversation is riveting! However, if you aren’t seeing the changes you have wanted to see in your fitness level or your body, it’s time to add some add some extra intensity as suggested above. Be reassured that even if your body has adapted to your workout and class doesn't feel quite as hard as it used to, you ARE still burning calories and maintaining muscle at each workout; but if you want to push yourself even more, let's see what you can do at your next class!

(Adapted from Farel Hruska's article, National Fitness Director, Stroller Strides LLC)

Stroller Strides of Raleigh's Spring Schedule is in effect starting this week!

Starting Monday 3/14 (with our Free Class & Anniversary Picnic), we go to our official OUTDOOR spring schedule, which is as follows:

• Mon & Wed, 10am, Crowder District Park (4709 Ten Ten Rd, meet at Park Pavilion)
• Tues & Thurs, 10am, Lake Johnson Park (4601 Avent Ferry Rd, meet near boathouse)
• Saturdays, 9:30am, Apex Community Park (aka Lake Pine), 2200 Laura Duncan Rd (drive all the way in to the end of the road/parking lot, meet at shelters near path to lake)
  

(Note: additional Cary locations likely to be added later this spring)

When we are OUTDOORS-- if it rains or is colder than 45 degrees, we will move class to Cary Towne Center mall, in which case class will be at 9:30am (not 10), since that is what the mall requires.

For class changes due to weather, please check our facebook page (www.facebook.com/strollerstridesraleigh) or call 888-389-0701, option 3, for class change updates the morning of class.

This is a great time to come out and try a Stroller Strides class if you haven't yet! Your first class is free-- come join us for a chance to get outdoors and active, meet other moms, and have fun with your little one/s.

For more info about our programs:
www.strollerstrides.net/raleigh
888-389-0701
jen.kedrowski@strollerstrides.net

March Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our March Mom of the Month is: Beth Breeden!! Congrats Beth!

Beth joined Stroller Strides in January, and has been a frequent attendee and upbeat, extremely friendly member of the group. She is an inspiration to all moms with all that she juggles-- motherhood, her own photography business (http://www.aewileyphotography.com/), Stroller Strides and other activities. Amidst all that being an entreprenuer entails, she still manages to drive out from Clayton to Stroller Strides workouts several times each week to stay in shape, and her husband Jonathan has also been a frequent Saturday attendee, sticking it out in the mall with us! We are glad to have Beth and her adorable son David as part of the group.

Join us in wishing her the best, and check out her answers below to get to know Beth a little better!


Hometown: Norrisville, Maryland

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Clayton

Education: B. A. in politics and sociology from Washington and Lee University; M. A. T. in social studies/history from Duke University

Stroller Strides Member since: January 2011

Members of your Family: Jonathan, David, and Beth

Tell us about your child/children: David is almost a year and a half old. He is an on-the-go toddler, to put it mildly. I am enjoying watching his vocabulary and his skills grow to keep pace with his opinions. He really does change daily right now, which is fascinating and fun.

Current/previous Career: Current = Photographer (since 2005); Former = High School U. S. History and Law and Justice Teacher

What was your childhood ambition? To be a lawyer or a teacher

What does motherhood mean to you? It's a wonderful combination of spiritual, intellectual, and practical exercise all aimed at helping one little 2 1/2 foot redhead become a good person. Basically, I get a chance to try to help a little person develop his values, abilities, and personality so that he will be a good man.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Spain

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Where to start? It has given me a way to meet other moms with young children, to introduce David to children his own age, and to get exercise that I actually look forward to, in a social setting.

What is your favorite exercise? I really like the power walking. The wall sit and the leg kick-out activities are other ones that I enjoy.

What is your proudest moment? The moment that David was born.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Coffee, the mountains, and my camera

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I grew up on a family beef and grain farm.

What advice would you give to others who are juggling motherhood and their own business or career?
I would say be patient with yourself as you learn to balance both, get good help whom you trust to care for your children for at least a few hours a week so that you have some working time during the day (as opposed to trying to carve all of your work time out of what should be your sleep), and set aside some regular time to spend with your spouse, away from email/phone/computer.

February Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our February Mom of the Month is: Lindsey Sohre! Congratulations Lindsey!

Lindsey was also our Holiday Get Fit Challenge winner. She participated in our 10 week Get Fit Challenge that encouraged participants to stay healthy and fit through the holidays. Competitors were assessed on their cardio performance (through a timed mile), strength (through planks and push-ups), and overall body composition, and we also tracked their weight and measurements. Lindsey more than doubled her plank time and her push-ups, increased her mile speed, lost 8% body fat, plus lost over 14 lbs and several inches during the 10 week Challenge! What an awesome accomplishment, and even more impressive during the holiday season.

Lindsey has been with Stroller Strides since November, and she and her daughter Emery have been wonderful to have in class. Lindsey has set a great example for other moms through her dedication and frequent Stroller Strides attendance, as well as really pushing herself during her workouts. Join us in wishing her the best, and check out her answers below to get to know Lindsey a little better!


Hometown: Midlothian, VA (just south of Richmond)

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Fuquay Varina

Education: BS James Madison University, MBA James Madison University

Stroller Strides Member since: November 2010

Members of your Family: husband- Andreas, daughter- Emery 11 mos, dog- Fritz, horse- Pfinny

Tell us about your child: Emery is an energetic, fun, observant little girl. She loves to dance and throw her hands in the air- we call her a woo girl :). Her favorite pastime is people watching.

Current/previous Career: I started out as a business analyst in Washington, DC. However, when we moved to the Raleigh area for my husband’s job I fell into my dream job. I ran/managed Pepperwood Farm, a 52 stall equestrian boarding, breeding, and sales facility. I could walk to work, bring my dog and work with horses and people who love horses! Since I had Emery I have scaled back my responsibilities at the farm and now just manage the office.

What was your childhood ambition? To have my own horse farm.

What does motherhood mean to you? Extra laughs, smiles, hugs and kisses every day. My mom told me she had never seen me laugh as much as I do with Emery.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Germany (my husband’s parents live in Munich)

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Connected me with other moms and babies in the area. It is nice that Emery gets to see other children and I get to workout at the same time. SS has helped me make and reach some fitness goals, lose weight, and tone my body. I had reached my pre-baby weight before starting with SS. I am now smaller than I was before I had Emery!

What is your favorite exercise? Riding and working on the farm but I am learning to enjoy jogging

What is your proudest moment? Giving birth to Emery.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? horses/ riding (jumping and dressage), reading, German language and cooking

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I can drive a tractor and a Bob Cat Skid Steer (even while I was pregnant!- although the lap belt was a little snug!)

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked my husband and copied his whole answer because it made me chuckle : ) “Lindsey's best qualities are: She is very caring, loves animals and is very beautiful. She is very dedicated, determined and enduring in things she cares about. She also actively does things rather than talk about them endlessly without action. She has a good sense of humor, and more importantly, appreciates mine!!! She is very eager to learn and open-minded. Notice how I didn't mention patient...”

What advice would you give to other moms who are struggling to get active and back into shape? Get into a routine. Join Stroller Strides! It is nice to have someone else tell you what your workout is for the day and to know that you have to make class at a specific time. Also, pick something to work towards. I find it easier to stay motivated with a goal.

(Get Fit Challenge Award day)